Illuminating- apparatus



4ILLUMINATING APPARATUS. "Filemon m'sumw xa. me.

Patented Sept. 2, 1919.

ELLSWORTH A. HAWTHORNE, OF IBRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT.

ILLUMINATING- APPARATUS.

To all whom t may concern.'

Beit known that I, ELLswoRTH A. HAW- Tirol-mn, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Bridgeport, county lof Fairield, and State of Connecticut, have invent- I ed an In'lprovement in Illuminating Apparatus, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to an illuminating apparatus, and'is more especially concerned with an apparatus partlcularly intended and adapted to be carried by a vehicle, and

capable of efficiently illuminating the roadway, yet without .causing a blinding glare which would interfere with the vision of persons .facing the illuminating apparatus.

My invention will be best understood by v reference to 'the following description, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings showing one illustrative embodiment thereof, while its scope will be more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings: Figure l is a front elevation of an illumihating apparatus embodying my invention; and

Fig. 2 is a sectional View on line 2 2 of Fig. l.

Referring to the drawings, and to the 'embodiment of my invention which I have selectec'. for illustration, I have there shown 'a lamp of the general type employed as a head-light for motor vehicles, although the invention is by no means restricted to such use. The lamp shown comprises a usual casing l, in which is mounted a suitable 40 source of light 2, herein an `incandescent electric bulb with which is associated ausual beam. reflector 3, herein of the parabolic type, that is, a araboloid or surface of revolution former, by revolution of a parabola about its axis,-in coaxial relation `with the lamp bulb. The lamp easing may be provided at its front with a suitable lighttransmitting element 4, similar in most respects to the usual front lens or glass, to 5e transmit the light in a forward direction, while excluding dust and moisture from the interior of the lamp casing.

In the use o'f lamps of this general class, seme of the objectionable glare which blinds and confuses persons facing the light is due te the direct rays of light from the light Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 2, 1919.

Application led July 13, 1916. Serial No. 109,022.

source, while another part of the glare is usually caused by a ortion of the surface of the 'parabolic re vector, depending, of course, upon the height at which the lamp 1s placed with relation to the ground, and hence bearing a direct relation to the level of the eyes ofa person facing the lamp.

As a means for cutting olf the direct rays of light in the direction of the axis of the lamp and reflector, I may employ a suitable screen, herein comprising a tube 5 arranged co-axially with the lamp bulb and reflector, and having a diameter approximately equal to that of the lamp bulb. This tube may be conveniently supported by the front glass Il, the latter for that purpose being provided with an Ainwardly projecting hub or boss 6, encircled yby the forward end of the tube, the rear end of the latter extending to a point closely adjacent the lamp bulb. This tube may bc, and preferably is, opaque, and the inner surface of the boss G which it cncircles may be frosted, or rendered opaque iby covering the same with some suitable opaque substance such as a' coating 7 of paint or enamel, thereby constitutl g a. screen which ctfectually cuts oil the `irect rays of light in the direction of the beam projected by the reflector. be secured to the boss by .fitting it tightly thereto, and in addition may be cemented if desired. Since the screen will cut offA the divcrging rays of light emitted directly from the bulb 2, the only light sent forth by the lamp will be the parallel rays from the reflector 3. As light is transmitted in straight lines the light will therefore be sensible only from a position in front of the light and the direction of observation of the light. source is thus limited.

As a means for eliminating the objectionable glare from the reflector, the portion of the latter which causes the glare may be screened or cut oli` from the source of light by suitable means, herein a screen 8. The latter maybe of any appropriate size and shape to moet' the requirements of the situation, but herein, as indicated in Fig. 1, has the fomn of a sector; in other words, it has two edges 9--9, which are generally radial with reference to the axis A-A of the lam and reflector, and a third edge l0, which 1s in a plane B-B substantially at right angles to said axis.

The shield 8 may be supported, preferably in close proximity to the internal surface of The tube may v the reflector 3 by any suitable means, herein a support 11 in the form oi'- an arm, or a pair of arms, formed' by bending a suitable strip of material to torma collar 12 encircling the tube anda pair (if/ arms l3-13,

Whose terminal portions 14-14 are secured to the shield 8 by appropriate means, herein rivets 15-15. Any suitable means maybe lemployed. to 'enable the shield 8 to be ad justed `axially or angiilarly with`xrespect to thoaxis A-A, but herein foithis purpose the collar 12 is provided with clamping means comprising a bolt 16 passing through y fthe arms 13 and provided with a nut 17 by' means of which the collar may 'be' contracted. and clamped onto the tube`v 5. By simply vloosening this bolt, the desired adjustment may be effected, and the bolt' again tightened. p

It must noW be apparent-that the shieldv 8 provides a convenient means for limiting the effective area of the reflector, and by V.means of tlie adjustmenuthe non4edective area may vbe .shifted or changed -to. suit the particular' conditions. For example, where the lamp is placed rather low upon the vehi` cle, it will usually be desirable to shield the lower portion of the reflector, and, on'the otherhand, when the lamp is placed at a considerable height from the ground, it may 'be desirable to shield the upper'portion of the rel-lector, the change 'of position of the shield being readily accomplished by'si-mply i loosening the adjustable support, then turning the shield to the -proper position, and finally tightening the support in the selected position of adjustment. In this connection, it will be observed that tlievglare preventing devices are mounted independently of the lamp bulb 2, and may be removed as a unit with the front glass audits-frame or bezel, .Without in any wayA disturbing the lamp bulb. i

While I have herein shown and described one formoi* embodiment of my invention lfor illustrative purposes, and have disclosed .l and vdiscussed in detail the construction and arrangement incidentalzto one specific application thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is limited neitherto the mere details or relative arrangement of parts, n or I claim and desire `by Letters Patent to. sel4 cure is:

i. An illuminating apparatus comprising,

in combination, a source of light, a beam relector associated therewith, a glazingcovering thev front of the reflector, means mounted on said glazing in front of said source for limiting the direction of observation of said source, and means for llimiting v. the eii'ective area of'said reflector, the lastementioned means being supported by the first-mentioned means. `Quan illuminating apparatus comprising,

- in combination, a source of light, abeain reflector associated therewith, means arranged coaxially with said source and reliector for limiting the direction of obseryation of said source, means for limitingtlie e'ective' area of saidreiector, and means t6 support'the second-mentioned means upon the first-mentioned means and to adjust the second about the axis of the first.

. 3. An illuminating apparatus comprising, iirfconibination, a source ot light, a beam re- Hector associated tlierewith,means arranged coaxially with said source and reflector for .limiting the direction of observation of said source, means for limiting the eiieotive area of said reiiector, and an arm to support thel f second-'mentioned means upon the first-inem` 'tioned means. I I

Il. An illuminating apparatus comprising,

in combination, a source of liglit,a beat/n reflector associated therewith, means arranged coaxially with said source and reflector fory limiting the direction of observation of said source, means for limiting the effective area of said reflector, an arm to support the second-mentioned means upon the irst-men-` tioned means, and means adj ustably to ser cure said alni to the irstementioned means.

5. An illuminating apparatus comprising, in combination, a source of light, al beam reflector associated therewith, means arranged coaxially with said source and reiector for limiting the direction of observation of said source, means ior limiting the ,effective area of said reflector, a support comprising a stri of material bent to form a collar en'- circ ing pair o arms whose terminal portions are secured to the second-mentioned means, and

means adjustably to secure saidcollar to the first-mentioned means. f

In testimony whereof, I have-.signed my name to this specification.

' nLLswoRTi-i A. HAWTHORNE.

the first-mentioned means, and a 

